BMW Concept 8 Series Unveiled Ahead of 2018 Production Model

The BMW Concept 8 Series coupe has been unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este car show in Italy, providing a window into the design of the revived 8 Series production model, scheduled to launch in 2018.

The original BMW 8 Series was the brand's flagship luxury grand touring coupe from 1991 to 1997. With its V8 or V12 engine, mated to the choice of a manual or automatic transmission, the 8 Series quickly gained a reputation for style, comfort and power.

Although BMW has not released images or detailed information about the 2018 8 Series, which will replace the current 6 Series lineup, the Bavarian automaker says the concept vehicle "reveals much of what is to come."

The Concept 8 Series exhibits many traits of a traditional BMW coupe, including a long hood, short rear deck and muscular flanks. High wheel arches accentuate 21-inch spoked wheels, and at the low-slung front end, narrow headlights point to the ubiquitous kidney-shaped grille. The overall effect is one of serious power waiting to be unleashed.

The interior of the Concept 8 Series displays the style, function and comfort buyers expect in a vehicle at the high end of the sport-luxury spectrum. The carbon-fiber seat shells, digital gauge cluster and red-anodized paddle shifters attest to the coupe's sporting nature, while touches such as Merino leather seating surfaces, a faceted ground gearshift lever, and an iDrive controller made from Swarovski glass deliver its luxury bona fides.

BMW concludes that the Concept 8 Series is "a preview of a model which BMW is set to introduce in a similar form in the coming year. The BMW 8 Series Coupe will build on the company's successful tradition of luxurious sports cars and adds another exciting model — a genuine dream car — to its existing luxury-class lineup. The BMW 8 Series Coupe will bring together razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury, and set new benchmarks in the luxury coupe segment."